Before Your Trip

Passport

Please check before departure that there is sufficient time remaining until the expiration date of your passport. During your trip, have your passport with you at all times. You may be asked to present it for identification.

Travel Insurance

We recommend taking out travel insurance before your trip, in case you come across troubles during your time here. Hospital visits and other emergency services can be very costly, so insurance is a wise precaution. For the specifics on insurance coverage and conditions for subscription, please contact an insurance company.

Customs procedure

It is the duty of those entering Japan to know what items are forbidden or regulated in Japan, and to make accurate declarations for items detailed in the customs form.
Please check the list of forbidden or regulated items at the Japan customs website.
Examples of regulated items: cash, counterfeit brand products, chemicals, live animal or plant, drugs, cosmetics, etc.

Local situation

Currency and currency exchange

The currency in Japan is Japanese yen. You will need to make a declaration in order to bring in cash worth more than 1 million Japanese yen. It is important to understand that small shops might not accept credit cards, so please prepare an adequate amount of cash at the airport, or use currency exchange booths at different locations in the prefecture.

Electric voltage and plugs

When you bring electronic equipment that need to be plugged in, make sure they are compatible with Japanese voltage and electrical sockets. Japanese electricity plugs are A type. The voltage is 100V, and the frequency is 60Hz. Please come prepared with a transformer or use products that are compatible with Japanese voltage.

Internet

If you need internet during your trip, you have the following options.

Be.Okinawa Free Wi-Fi

This is a free Wi-Fi service recommended by Okinawa prefecture. You may have free wi-fi connection in the city or in the vicinity of tourist facilities.

Safety related information

Information for when you are in trouble

When you lose your passport

If you lose your passport, submit a lost items report to the Japanese police.
Then contact your country’s foreign embassy, legation, or consulate in Japan, and go through the necessary procedures.Foreign Missions in Japan (External link)

Emergency contacts

#110 Calling the police to report an accident or crime.#119 Calling an ambulance or fire engine in case of injury, illness or fire.#118 Calling Coast Guard to report an accident in the sea.

Consultation regarding illnesses and injuries that do not require ambulances

Be.Okinawa Inbound Medical Interpretation Contact Center

This is a service provided by the Okinawa prefecture, that listens to symptoms on the phone and then gives you advice or refers you to clinics that provide services in foreign languages.
TEL:0570-050-235 (in Japan)
Available languages: English, Chinese (Beijing, Cantonese), Korean, Spanish, Portuguese, Thai, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Tagalog, French, Nepali, Malaysian, Italian, German, Russian (16 languages)